Any ideas for dampening strings?

[joeaba]

I've been experimenting with foam and tape to deaden my strings just right. I was curious to find out if anyone has come up with something that I haven't thought of yet.

 

[Jloch86]

I used to use the cloth from an old shirt. Ripped it into a square then rolled it up and stuffed it right up under the strings against the bridge.

 

[MrLenny1]

Foam is the old standby.
Gruv Gear offers a clip on string mute. I have not tried it.
Palm muting is what I use for the little time I need it.

 

[joeaba]

Thanks. I will check it out.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Foam is the old standby.
Gruv Gear offers a clip on string mute. I have not tried it.
Palm muting is what I use for the little time I need it.

It's called the Fump
GRUV GEAR · Fump - Bridge Muter/Dampener for Bass Guitar · MAKE LIFE GRUV

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Try various densities of foam and widths (from the bridge toward pickup).
I found that a narrower strip of light/soft foam angling towards the nut on the bass side allowed me to adjust the amount of damping (more on the bass side, less on treble) so that the damping was more "even" across the strings. YMMV have fun.

 

[Bassamatic]

Put short (1" maybe?) pieces of foam BETWEEN the E-A and D-G strings. Totally different effect. And you can vary the effect by sliding the foam blocks up and down the strings with more damping on the E&A for example.

 

[MD]

Packing foam from electronic gear.

 

[Mushroo]

Eight fingers, two thumbs, two palms.

 

[Bob Coldwell]

Packing foam from electronic gear.
View attachment 923008

This is the best idea I've seen so far. I would want the mute to be quickly installed and removed, and this seems to fit the bill.

 

[Slevage]

Dampening things usually requires water or some other liquid.

Damping things in an acoustical way is another story.

 

[Kevin1960]

I have used wrist bands bought at any store that sells sports stuff. You can even get black that fade into a dark or black headstock and fingerboard. Just remember that they do stretch a lot but I have seen some headstocks with large machine heads that may make that rather challenging.

 

[Ric5]

I've been experimenting with foam and tape to deaden my strings just right. I was curious to find out if anyone has come up with something that I haven't thought of yet.

Palm mute

 

[Alban]

Ellio Martina's BassMute: www.bassmute.com

 

[bassfran]

Sum total cost= about one minute to locate.

 

[lowfreqgeek]

Diapers. It worked for Tony Levin...

 

[nerkoids]

Foam this way:

 

[Nephilymbass]

I've been experimenting with foam and tape to deaden my strings just right. I was curious to find out if anyone has come up with something that I haven't thought of yet.

I just rest the edge of my hand against the strings and play with my thumb and index and middle fingers.

 

[Whippet]

Just the other day I started using a pick and hand mute. Believe it or not, I actually enjoy playing with a pick.

 

[HiEnd Basses]

Palm muting is what I do.

Foam is the old standby.
Gruv Gear offers a clip on string mute. I have not tried it.
Palm muting is what I use for the little time I need it.